Latest news with #TiruvannamalaiCorporation
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Civic workers remove 270 tonnes of waste generated on Chitra Pournami in Tiruvannamalai
Over 1,200 sanitary workers cleaned Tiruvannamalai town, including 14-km-long Girivalam path, for two days and removed more than 270 metric tonnes of waste that was generated during Chitra Pournami festival. Tiruvannamalai Corporation officials, who oversaw the massive cleanup effort alongside DRDA, reported that this year's festival generated a record volume of waste, surpassing the 190 tonnes collected in 2024. Around 30 lakh visitors attended the festival, which was held on May 11-12. Organic wastes including tender coconuts, clothes mostly used socks and sugarcane waste formed major garbage collected during the festival. 'Sanitary workers from neighbouring civic bodies like Vellore, Arcot, Arani and Gudiyatham were also roped in to clean the temple town. The entire work was completed by Tuesday noon,' S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu. Along with Mr. Balaji, Collector K. Tharpagaraj inspected cleaning work on Tuesday. Corporation officials said that food wastes also contributed to total garbage generated during the festival. Most food wastes were generated from 147 annadhanam spots. More than 100 organisations and individuals got the nod for free distribution of food during the festival. 'Such enormous waste of food could have been avoided by efficient management of its distribution by organisers. Devotees should also be responsible and stop wasting food during the festival,' said B. Archana, a resident. Apart from 600 sanitary workers of the civic body, around 1,300 workers from DRDA were also engaged for the mammoth exercise. Over 80 per cent of sanitary workers were women. Most of the wastes were dumped at the 15 acre-landfill site near the Girivalam path. Food waste will be recycled to make organic manure for farming and terrace gardens in the town.
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Encroachments around Arunachaleshwara temple in Tiruvannamalai demolished to facilitate drain work
Encroachments, mostly houses and petty shops, were demolished around Arunachaleshwara temple in Tiruvannamalai town, to facilitate construction of storm water drain on key stretches around the temple on Friday. The massive exercise was being taken up with the help of officials of State Highways, the executing agency, along with officials of Tiruvannamalai Corporation and revenue department besides the local police personnel. Most of the encroachments, around 160 structures, on these stretches had been built over two decades ago. The razed structures are mostly extensions of houses and commercial establishments that have been built on the existing narrow drain on these stretches. 'Illegal construction on these stretches, especially around the temple, has affected traffic movement, especially ambulances. The demolition exercise is also part of efforts to create more road space for visitors during Chitra Pournami festival, to be held on May 11 and 12. The drive will continue for the next few days,' S. Anbarasu, Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), State Highways (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu. Officials said that the demolition drive was also meant to restore the original width of the existing stretches around the temple as most of the encroachments were built on it. The encroachments, mostly concrete structures, blocked free flow of excess rainwater on old narrow drains during monsoon. It has resulted in waterlogging in the town. Officials of the State Highways said that construction of new wide storm water drains on both sides of key stretches is part of the Rs 15-crore concrete road works on these routes. Some of the stretches include Kattabomman Street, Draupathi Amman Street, Ramalingam Road and Rajagopuram Road. Each drain is three feet wide and four feet deep. The new drain is being laid after revenue officials marked the extension of encroached space on these stretches that have to be demolished for drain work. Of total 800 metres of encroached space, demolition have been completed to a distance of around 250 metres on these stretches so far. Formed part of the 14-km-long girivalam path, the stretches around the temple, a distance of 1.7 kms, gets around 20,000 footfalls every day. The stretches connect the temple with the rest of the town. During Karthigai Deepam festival, the temple car is pulled on these stretches as part of the celebrations. The work is being done under the Chief Minister Road Development Project (CMRDP) 2024-25. As part of ensuring safety of pilgrims during car pulling events as part of Karthigai Deepam festival, all overhead cables including Tangedco power lines and internet are being replaced with underground cables as part of the new drain work. Around 120 electrical poles on these stretches have been removed. Also, new water pipelines are also being done on both sides of the stretches to prevent road cutting works for household water connections.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- The Hindu
Over 20 temporary bus termini to be set up in Tiruvannamalai for Chitra Pournamai
Over 20 temporary bus termini will be set up on the outskirts of Tiruvannamalai town for Chitra Pournami, to be held on May 11 and 12. Accompanied by Tiruvannamalai SP M. Sudhakar, Collector K. Tharpagaraj inspected Mada Streets around Arunachaleswara temple as part of the preparations for the festival. Officials of the State Highways, which has identified encroachments on key stretches around the temple, said there had been a steady rise in pilgrims visiting the temple during the festival. Around 25 lakh-30 lakh visitors are expected to attend the festival. 'Tourist vehicles will not be allowed to enter the town during the festival to allow visitors to walk safely. Free shuttle services from the temporary bus termini to the temple will be arranged,' Mr. Tharpagaraj said. A total of 2,500 buses will be operated to Tiruvannamalai town from various parts of the State, including Chennai, Vellore, Ranipet, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchi, and Coimbatore. In the Vellore transport division alone, around 250 buses will be operated to the temple town. Southern Railway will operate special trains for the festival. 'During the festival, the 14-km-long Girivalam path will have adequate health help desks and medical camps for visitors. Sanitation workers from the Tiruvannamalai Corporation and panchayats will be roped in to ensure cleanliness of the town,' the Collector said. ' In terms of security arrangements, around 5,000 police personnel including two DIGs and 10 SPs will be deployed, with watch towers at key intersections and public places. Letters from VVIPs for special VIP darshan will not be accepted. The ₹50 special darshan ticket will be cancelled for the festival. In other words, all devotees will get free darshan during the festival. Special queues will be set up for senior citizens and pregnant women. Battery-run vehicles will be operated for the benefit of persons with disabilities, who will also be given special entry.
